Chicago Fire Department Test Prep: The Complete 2026 Practice Test

The Chicago Fire Department test is a cognitive ability written test that includes numerical, verbal, spatial, mechanical aptitude sections as well as general knowledge questions and a situational judgement test (SJT). Together these questions measure your mental capacity to face the challenges faced by Chicago firefighters in their daily work, and are used in the Chicago Fire Department hiring process to decide which candidates are the most compatible. 

The passing score for the CFD test isn't disclosed by the Chicago Fire Department, so the best way of maximizing your chances of passing the written test and entering the fire academy is by thorough and accurate preparation for each section. 

• Numerical Reasoning - Chicago firefighters need to make mathematical calculations constantly in their day to day work, be it in the operation of the equipment or in assessing the best method of addressing an emergency. In the CFD test, you will be presented with word problems in which you need to locate the math within a short paragraph and find the right answer. Preparing for this section with accurate practice questions will sharpen your math skills and teach you how to answer them quickly and accurately. 

• Reading Comprehension- Being able to follow complex fire safety rules and regulations is an essential part of being a firefighter, which is the skill this section of the CFD test aims to measure. Practicing reading comprehension can greatly improve your ability to comprehend complex verbal information, and to analyze texts effectively. 

• Mechanical Aptitude - Firefighters constantly employ a variety of mechanical principles such as using levers, gears, and other components of their gear. Practicing with accurate mechanical aptitude sample questions will acquaint you with the type of questions you will face in the Chicago Fire Department test, and help you understand the principles behind this section. 

• Situational Judgment Questions - Certain attributes are crucial for a firefighter, such as leadership and team work. An SJT is a combination of a personality test and an assessment of your work style, that will provide the Chicago Fire Department with a picture of how you will function in the challenging scenarios faced daily by Chicago firefighters.

• Spatial Orientation - As a firefighter you will need excellent spatial orientation, while navigating the streets of Chicago or putting out a fire in a smoke filled building. The questions that measure this ability can be tricky, and understanding how to approach them correctly is crucial for your chances of success in the CFD test. 

• General Knowledge - In this section you will be asked about a wide variety of things you probably learned before graduating high school. The questions aren't meant to be very hard, and arriving at the test calm and well prepared for the other sections is the best way of acing this section. 

Keep in mind that if you don’t pass the test then you have to wait a year to take it again - so be sure to take your Chicago Fire Department test as well prepared as possible. 

Entering the Chicago Fire Academy and becoming a city of Chicago firefighter means being able to withstand some serious physical demands. Whether its the strength required for lifting heavy equipment or the endurance needed to carry out missions, the candidate physical ability test is there to check that you have what it takes physically. 

To learn more about the hard work required to prepare for the CPAT, read the official City of Chicago Fire Department preparation guide. 

Before you take the first step and begin your application process for the Chicago Fire Department, you should review the minimal job requirements the CFD human resources department has in place. If you don't comply with these requirements, you will not be able to take the Chicago firefighter exam.

• High school diploma
• At least 18 years of age
• Proof of passing the CPAT within the last year
• Residency within the City of Chicago
• Valid driver's license
• Pass pre-employment screening, including background check, drug test, medical screening

The City of Chicago Fire Department is one of the most storied fire departments in the United States. The department was established in 1858 and currently employs over 5,000 firefighters and paramedics. With around 600,000 calls each year your time as a Chicago firefighter will be anything but boring.

The Chicago firefighter test only opens up once or twice every few years so it becomes imperative that you prepare for the test as well as possible. With JobTestPrep’s Chicago Fire Test Prep Pack your studying will help you get to the top of the candidates list and impress the hiring managers.